Cafeteria table



L KRUCKEWlTT.

`CAFETERIA TABLE.

J. KHUCKEWITT.

CAFETERIA TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I?. I92I.

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. llllllllllllinlln/ UNITED STATES PATENT YoFFlcl-i.

JOHN KRUCKEWITT, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR 0F ONE-HALF TO Y DONAHOES, INCORPORATED, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION '0F DELAWARE.

CAFETERIA TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Peatniged Feb, 2S, 1922.

Application filed May 17, 1921. v Serial No. 470,249.

State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cafeteria Tables, of which the following is a specification.

My invention refers to improvements 1n cafeteria kdining tables, and relates particularly to means embodiedr with the table for stowing` away empty trays therein. In cafeteria practice and service, it is customary for guests to collect articles of food, in dishes, plates, or saucers, with other articles, on a self-serving tray, from which these are taken and placed upon a table at which the guest n. is seated. The disposition of the empty tray ordinarily involves considerable confusion, interference, and trouble in dispensing with it pending` its final removal by a waiter.

My invention provides means for supporting a plurality of trays underneath the table top, upon supporting racks or platform frames, adapted to receive a number of trays corresponding to the guest capacity-of 'the table, without interference, and in conven-A ient locations for removal without disturbl ing the immediate in which guests, or others surrounding them.

Several 'preferred forms of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a square table provided with my invention;

AFig. 2 is a partial side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing van oblong form of rectangular table;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 5 is a perspective sectional view showing a detail of construction of the rack sup'- port;

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement providing overlapping spaces;

Fig. 7 isy an elevation thereof;

Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of a circular form of table; l y.

Figs. 9 and 10 are views of the same in side elevation and planl respectively;

' Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view, showing the framing construction; l

Fig. 12 is a perspectiveview, partly broken a modified construction of the underframing; and 1 Fig. 14 is a partial View showinga further modified construction.

In all of the several constructions illustrated, the object in viewk is to provide between thek upper main table top A of whatever form, and a lower supporting rack or framework, an intervening cavity ZJ for reception of the tray 2, shown in partially inserted position in Fig. 1. The supporting rack may be on the same general level, where there is sufficient area of table, or on two overlapping levels, when the area is limited.

In the construction of Figs. l and 2, the table is supported centrally at the top of a standard 3 of anyl suitable construction having a broad floor base for stability, and lixedly connected underneaththe table top by lateral bracingarms 4. V The supporting rack or platform is made of a skeleton frameworkv of metal bars, or their equivalent, of any suitable .construction as to vnumber and strength for necessary rigidity and compactness, as indicated in the drawing.

This framework is suspended sulliciently below the table top for insertion space for the tray 2 by a plurality of depending brackets or arms 6, located midway of the width of the table at each side. Such location of these supports is of especial advantage, because the Vcorner portions of the table and of the insertion space are thereby left` free* and respect is clearly shown in detail in Fig. 5."

Partition 7 may, if desired, be of the full widthof the tray space and itself serve as lain composition, of sanitary construction,l

such las is commonly used in similar cases, and laid down flush with the upper surface of the base a.

It will, of course', be understood that the top may also be of any usual commercial table top form, and of any suitable material. Also, that with the same arrangement and relative size of the several tray cavities, the

vtable top may be circular instead of square,

as suggested by the annular dotted lline e, Fig. 1. f

1n' Figs. 3 and 1l, the construction just 'described is the same and shown as applied to a rectangular oblong table, the several parts being similarly identified, and it will be seen that square tables may be used with square tops, and oblong tables with oblong` ones, where the spacing of one kind or the other is a matter of importance. Y In Figs. Gand 7, I show a :further modification in which the table is of relatively re# duced area, in which caseV the' individual tray spaces Z) overlap each other from' two opposite sides, as shown. This effect is secured by utilizino' additional` bracket arms G `of the upper frame located sufficiently beyond the middle of the table, to provide the normal depth and'width of the tray space Z, and lengthening the opposite outer arms 6b correspondingly so as to provide a lower level for thetray rack section 5l. Such section, as shown, extends beyond the middle of the table to the same extent as the .upper level section, for the necessary width, and' is supported below it by bracket connections 6c which are conveniently connected to the rack men'ibers 5. By this construction, space is provided at opposite sides of4 a comparatively small table for insertion of two pairs of trays on different overlappinglevels ,without interference and retaining the advantage of corner insertion and removal.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the invention is illustrated in connection with a circular top table, in which oase theconditions 4are somewhatsimilar to those of av small square table, and it is desirable that the trays shall not project beyond theperipheral edge. .In such case', the two level rack framework ofb is supported below the circular top. A" by four equally spaced outermost bracket arms 6d,

and the tray platform 5 and 5b overlap be-y yond the middle at each side andare supported by inner arms 6a' and 6c respectively, the partitions 7 being correspondingly located. The inner depending arms 6a and 6c scribed.

ser-veto engage the inner edges of the trays when inserted, to limit their inward movement.

Fig. 11 shows the mounting of the tray platfornjis, of the metal rod fconstruction of t-he several forms above described, as it may be incorporated with a four leg table, as well as with a central edestal. In such case, each corner leg 10, w ich may be of cast iron, is in interfitting engagement at the corners with the outer surrounding member of the platform structure 5 and connected therewith in any suitable way, as by clips 11. The tray platform 5 in such construction supports the table top A by the upwardly extendingv brackets 6, in the same general manner as already described, except that these now act as posts. The limiting partitions 7 in such case may extend clear across the area, intersecting at the center. It will be understood, of course, that the brackets 6 may be`dispensed with, and partitions 7 may themselves' beused to support the table top, serv` ing the double function of carrying the table top and'V also of limiting the Vmovement and separating the several'trays and their cavities, as in Fig. 13. y

In Fig. 12 I show a table top A2 superimposed abovean ordinary table 5c and supported thereon by a central pedestal post 3c -of Vv'suitable rigid construction.

The intervening tray receiving space b is separated int-o the .several individual tray re ceptacles by upwardlyV extending'thin strips or partitions 7 C located midway of the table Width at each side, thereby leaving the corner portions free and unobstructed for insertion and removal of the trays,.in the manner de- In F igflt, I show a further modification in which, a. tray space b is provided jat the corner of atable of ordinary construction,

by providing transverse supportinggpiers or brackets 6d converging towards themiddle, providing the insertion cavities between the guest positions. e a

The table is supported on ordinary 'legs 10d with the top A2 thus `supported above and providing for the insertion ofy one or more trays, by'making` the tray cavity of suficient vertical depth.

With any of the several constructions shown@ provide a very compact, convenient, f

and available means for quickly and easily disposing of the empty trays, and for their removal and collection. The table is comparatively simple,-econ'omical of. manufac-- ture. and durable,.while providing for easy and thorough cleaningat all times. .Vhile the design, proportions, or specific details :of'fconstruction `may be variously changed-or modified bythe skilled mechanic or builder to suit' different conditionsof use, all such changes are to be understoody as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A dining table of the class described having an upper top portion and tray supporting platforms below the top separated by intervening radial partitions providing a laterally arranged series of outwardly open closel adjacent tray receiving spaces.

2. dining table of the class described having an upper top portion and tray supporting platforms below the top separated by intervening radial partitions, providing a plurality of laterally arranged outwardly open equally spaced tray receiving cavities.

3. A dining table of the class described having an upper top portion, a lower supporting platform portion spaced therefrom to provide intervening tray receiving cavities, separating limiting strips between adjacent cavities, and centrally arranged means for supporting said parts in fixed relationship with outwardly open unobstructed insertion openings.

4u A cafeteria dining table having an upper top portion, a tray-supporting rack portion of skeleton framework construction spaced below and fixedly connected with the table portion and having radial limiting stops, and a center post supporting the top portion and the rack portion of the structure upon a floor surface and in fixed relationship providing a series of regularly spaced laterally arranged inwardly converging insertion and removal openings.

5. A cafeteria dining table having an upper top portion, a tray-supporting rack portion spaced below and ixedly connected with the table ortion, intervening radially arranged partitions extending upwardly from the rack portion dividing the space into tray-receiving cavities and providing limiting stops therefor, and means for supporting and holding said parts in fixed relationship providing a series of regularly spaced laterally arranged inwardly converging insertion and removal openings.

6. A cafeteria dining table having an upper top portion, tray-supporting rack portions spaced below the top portion at different levels providing overlapping tray spaces, and means for supporting the structure upon a fioor surface.

7. A cafeteria dining table having an upper top portion, tray-supporting rack portions spaced below the top portion at different levels providing overlapping tray spaces and each having a'dividing partition and an inner tray arresting stop, and means for supporting the structure upon a floor surface.

8. In a cafeteria dining table, the combination with a table top and means for supporting it, of a series of dependino tray racks located at different levels and providing vertically overlapping space, said racks being supported adjacent the outer edge of the table at intervals providing entrance space for a tray and having inner limiting stops.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

' JOHN KRUCKEWITT. 

